National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Digitisation Project Opportunities for South African Youth (2026).
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is inviting applications from unemployed South African graduates and youth aged 35 years and younger to participate in an important national digitisation initiative at the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa in Pretoria.
This opportunity forms part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP), which aims to create meaningful employment opportunities for young people while preserving South Africa’s documentary heritage for future generations. Successful applicants will contribute to safeguarding valuable archival materials, supporting digital transformation processes, and strengthening access to historical records across the country.
- Position: Digitisation Project Opportunities (Multiple Posts)
- Duration: Contract-based (Project duration not specified in the advertisement).
- Stipend: Monthly stipend (Amount not specified).
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa.
- Closing Date: 08 April 2026.
The programme is ideal for motivated individuals interested in archives, heritage preservation, administration, IT systems, audio-visual media, research, and records management. It offers participants practical work experience in a professional environment while supporting a nationally significant preservation project.
About the Digitisation Project
South Africa’s archives hold millions of documents, photographs, maps, recordings, films, and administrative records that tell the story of the country’s past. Many of these materials exist only in fragile physical formats and are at risk of deterioration over time.
Through this digitisation project, the NFVF and DSAC aim to:
- Preserve fragile archival materials for long-term access
- Improve digital availability of historical records
- Strengthen national memory institutions
- Support research and public engagement
- Provide employment opportunities for youth
- Develop technical skills in archival digitisation and preservation
Participants will gain exposure to professional archival workflows, including arrangement and description, conservation support, scanning operations, systems administration, audio-visual preservation, and records management.
This initiative supports both skills development and heritage protection, making it an excellent opportunity for young South Africans interested in building careers in archives, administration, IT, media preservation, and public service.
Project Location
All positions will be based at: National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA), Pretoria
Applicants should be willing and able to work at the Pretoria site for the duration of the project.
Who Should Apply?
Applications are encouraged from:
- South African citizens
- Unemployed graduates
- Youth aged 35 years or younger
- Individuals passionate about heritage preservation and digitisation
- Candidates meeting the minimum qualification requirements listed below
Applicants who previously participated in Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) projects are discouraged from applying.
Available Positions and Requirements
A total of multiple vacancies are available across different specialist and support roles. Each role contributes directly to the digitisation and preservation of national archival records.
1. Archivist – Arrangement and Description (15 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Four-year diploma or
- Three-year degree in Archival Studies
This role focuses on organising archival collections and preparing descriptive records that allow researchers and the public to access historical materials efficiently.
2. Assistant Archivist – Arrangement and Description (10 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Grade 12
Assistant Archivists will support senior archivists in sorting, arranging, and cataloguing archival collections for digitisation and preservation.
3. Conservation Assistant (6 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Grade 12
Conservation Assistants help maintain the physical condition of archival materials by preparing documents for scanning and safe storage.
4. Principal Auxiliary Officer (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirements:
- Grade 12
- Valid Code 10 Driver’s Licence
- Valid PDP
This role supports logistics operations related to document transport and archive movement within secure environments.
5. Archive Assistant – Housekeeping (10 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- ABET Level 4 or Grade 10
Archive housekeeping staff ensure safe storage conditions and assist with workspace preparation during digitisation processes.
6. Audio-Visual Archives Assistant: Film and Video Preservation (12 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Three-year diploma or degree in:
- Film
- Video
- Engineering
- Archival Studies
- Film or video experience required
This role focuses on preserving historical film footage and video recordings as part of South Africa’s audio-visual heritage.
7. Scanner Operator (5 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Grade 12
Scanner Operators digitise archival documents using specialised equipment and ensure image quality standards are met.
8. Systems Administrator (3 Posts)
Minimum Requirements:
- National Diploma or Degree in IT
- MCSE Certification
Systems Administrators support digital infrastructure used in the archiving and digitisation process.
9. IT Support Officer (1 Post)
Minimum Requirement:
- National Diploma or Degree in IT
Provides technical assistance to staff working with digital archive systems and scanning equipment.
10. Audio-Visual Archives Assistant: Sound Preservation (10 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Diploma or Degree in:
- Sound Engineering
- Audio Engineering
- Audio Production
- Sound post-production experience required
This role focuses on preserving audio recordings and ensuring high-quality digital conversion.
11. Audio-Visual Archives Assistant: Legal Deposit (10 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Diploma or Degree in:
- Archives
- Library and Information Science
- Research experience required
Supports the management of legally deposited materials and assists with archival research services.
12. Assistant Archivist – Cartographic Material (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Qualification in:
- Archival Studies
- Heritage Studies
- BA with History major
Focuses on maps and spatial archival records preservation.
13. Assistant Archivist – Strong Room Registers (8 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Grade 12
Maintains accurate storage registers for archival strong rooms and supports document tracking systems.
14. Assistant Archivist – Reading Room (5 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Diploma or Degree in:
- Records and Archives Management
- BA History major
Supports researchers accessing archival materials in reading rooms.
15. Sensitive Records – Admin Officer (1 Post)
Minimum Requirement:
- National Diploma or Degree in Office Administration or Management
Handles confidential archival records and administrative coordination.
16. Sensitive Records – Assistant Archivists (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Grade 12
Supports secure handling of restricted archival materials.
17. Archivist – Outreach and Publications (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Four-year diploma or degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Communication
- Marketing
- Media Studies
Promotes archive visibility through publications and public engagement initiatives.
18. Archivist – Oral History (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirement:
- Four-year diploma or degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
Supports oral history documentation and preservation projects.
19. Maintenance Officer (1 Post)
Minimum Requirement:
- Qualification in Built Environment
Ensures archive facility infrastructure remains functional and secure.
20. Administration Officer (1 Post)
Minimum Requirement:
- Diploma in Public Administration
Supports administrative coordination of project operations.
21. Records Management (2 Posts)
Minimum Requirements:
- Grade 12
- Degree in:
- Information Science
- Archives and Records Management
Supports records classification and management systems within the archive.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copy of Driver’s Licence (where required)
- Certified copies of qualifications and certificates
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Process
- Suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications via email to: [email protected]
- Applicants must include the reference: RECR/PESP 6/03/26 in the subject line of the email.
Application Deadline
Closing date: 08 April 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within 30 days after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will undergo verification checks, including:
- Citizenship verification
- Criminal record checks
- Qualification verification
These checks ensure transparency and fairness during recruitment.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This programme offers more than temporary employment. It provides participants with:
- Hands-on archival training
- Professional workplace exposure
- Digital preservation skills
- Heritage sector experience
- Research and documentation skills
- IT systems support experience
- Public service career pathways
Participants contribute directly to preserving South Africa’s documentary memory while strengthening their own employability.
For graduates interested in archives, IT systems, records management, administration, heritage studies, film preservation, or audio engineering, this project offers valuable real-world experience aligned with national priorities.
Important Notes for Applicants
Before applying, please take note:
- Only South African citizens aged 35 or younger may apply
- Candidates previously involved in PESP projects are discouraged from applying
- Submission of complete documentation is mandatory
- Applications received after the deadline will not be considered
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee selection
- The NFVF reserves the right not to make appointments
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure all supporting documents are properly certified.
Final Encouragement to Apply
The NFVF digitisation initiative represents a rare opportunity to participate in a national heritage preservation project while gaining meaningful employment experience. Whether your background is in archives, administration, IT, film, sound engineering, or public service, there is a role suited to your qualifications.
Young South Africans eager to contribute to preserving the country’s historical legacy while building professional skills are strongly encouraged to apply before the closing date.
Start preparing your documents today and submit your application before 08 April 2026 to be considered for this important national project opportunity.
